Salif Keita

One of the great voices of Mali, Salif Keita graduated from a couple of fabled groups (the Rail Band and Les Ambassadeurs) into solo stardom. An albino with royal bloodlines dating back centuries, Keita endured a miserable childhood of ostracism before being rescued by his musical talent. International fame came when he relocated to Paris in 1984. The singer-songwriter has gone on to regale concert halls and festivals, record with famous folks from various genres (Carlos Santana, Wayne Shorter, Bobby McFerrin, Grace Jones!), and to make a pack of records that were sometimes great, just as often overproduced. So it's cool news that Keita is embarking on a rare acoustic rootsy tour, and that the wonderful kora master, Mamadou Diabate, is in his road band. Tom Surowicz